American Humane Association Commends Lake County Animal Shelter for Decision to End Gas Chamber Use

Awards Grant to Help Shelter Switch to Humane Method

DENVER, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Humane Association, the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, commends Lake County Sheriff Robert A. Hilts and Senior Animal Control Officer Amy Bush for their decision to end the use of a carbon monoxide gas chamber for euthanizing animals at the Lake County Animal Shelter in Baldwin, Mich.

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To support Lake County with implementing this decision, American Humane has awarded the shelter a $1,600 grant to make the transition to euthanasia by injection (EBI), which American Humane considers to be the only humane and acceptable means of euthanasia for shelter animals. The grant will cover the costs of permanently removing the shelter's gas chamber, as well as the costs for the initial supplies and equipment to perform EBI. The shelter is working to make the transition in the next 60 days.

"American Humane encourages adoption and spay/neuter to reduce pet overpopulation and thus reduce the rate of euthanasia," said Dori Villalon, American Humane's vice president of Animal Protection. "However, we recognize that euthanasia can be necessary, such as when an animal is suffering or cannot be adopted. But we believe that the use of gas chambers is an outdated and unnecessary method. We applaud Lake County for its decision to stop this practice, and we strongly encourage the remaining nine counties and one township in Michigan that still use gas chambers to follow Lake County's lead and take advantage of an American Humane grant to transition to EBI."

In 2009, American Humane launched an intensive legislative initiative to ban gas chambers in animal shelters. Currently, American Humane is continuing its efforts in Michigan to achieve the passage of House Bills 6042 and 6043, which state that all Michigan animal shelters and Class B dealers (laboratory animal brokers) may not euthanize cats and dogs by any method other than EBI. The bills, drafted by American Humane with assistance from the State Bar of Michigan Animal Law Section, are sponsored by Reps. Rick Jones and Fred Miller.

For more information about American Humane's work to ban gas chambers, visit www.americanhumane.org/stopgassing.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the Denver-based American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals from abuse and neglect through public policy, education and services reaching a wide network of organizations and advocates. Programs include raising awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. The organization is also known for "No Animals Were Harmed,"® the end-credit disclaimer seen on film and TV productions. American Humane's farm animal welfare certification program, American Humane Certified™, is the nation's largest and most regarded independent standards and certification program. American Humane earned the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval. Learn more at www.americanhumane.org.

SOURCE American Humane Association